FERGUSON TOWNSHIP — Ferguson Township supervisors on May 18 discussed moving forward with a solar energy feasibility plan for township facilities while also recognizing Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month through a proclamation and community remarks centered on belonging, inclusion and cultural identity.
Supervisors unanimously approved the proclamation recognizing May 2026 as Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Ferguson Township following remarks from local community members and organizers connected to this year’s APIDA Festival in State College.
Nalini Krishnankutty, State College Borough Council member and founding member of the Pan-APIDA Circle, spoke about this year’s national heritage month theme, “Power in Unity: Strengthening Communities Together.”
“They picked this theme because they thought about how communities build bridges with each other and it highlights the importance of leveraging our collective power, telling our stories and being bridge builders,” Krishnankutty said.
She also highlighted an art and writing project involving local students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 that asked participants to respond to the prompt: “What does a just inclusive and hopeful future look like to you?” The work is currently displayed at the State College Municipal Building and Schlow Centre Region Library.
Resident and immigration attorney Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia reflected on citizenship, immigration history and belonging during her remarks to the board, referencing the pending U.S. Supreme Court case connected to birthright citizenship.
“This month I ask that we honor the history and people on whose backs we are able to celebrate, commit to the rule of law and focus on belonging that exists beyond a piece of paper,” Wadhia said.
Resident Hyeseon Kim also addressed supervisors, discussing cultural programming tied to the America250 celebration and local art collaborations connected to Korean heritage and community engagement.
Supervisor Ron Heller later shared his appreciation for the proclamation and diversity within the township.
“You see a middle-aged white guy sitting up here. I was actually born and raised, my early childhood, in the Virgin Islands,” Heller said. “For children to see that diversity in our community is so important.”
Later in the meeting, supervisors discussed next steps involving a township solar energy feasibility study presented earlier this month by the PA Solar Center. Township staff requested direction from the board on whether to continue developing a more detailed solar implementation plan for municipal properties.
Supervisor Omari Patterson introduced a motion directing staff to continue working with appropriate entities, including other governmental agencies, to develop a detailed solar build-out plan and provide regular updates to the board.
Discussion among supervisors focused on balancing urgency with long-term financial planning, including concerns about infrastructure costs, return on investment and possible phased construction approaches.
Township staff noted the township currently has approximately $24,500 remaining in the 2026 budget for solar-related planning after earlier feasibility work.
Assistant Township Manager Jaymes Progar said staff may begin by examining solar opportunities tied to facilities already needing roof work..
Resident Bill Keough urged caution during public comment, referencing the collapse of the broader regional Solar Power Purchase Agreement effort involving multiple municipalities and agencies.
“We need to move much more cautiously if we’re going to go it alone,” Keough said.
Keough also called for detailed cost recovery analysis and suggested a potential public referendum if the project advances significantly.
Despite differing viewpoints on pace and implementation, supervisors ultimately approved the amended motion directing staff to continue developing the solar plan and report back to the board as the project evolves.
